M'sian Politics?

I came across this interesting feedback in regards to the Malaysian politics in my inbox. Written by AT, it does make sense that the Malaysian scene on politics can be described as the Astro-made-famous-ad theme, "macam-macam ada". Betui betui macam macam ada...

"Hi M*****,

It's interesting to hear of your opinion on Malaysian politics. However, I do not agree with your opinion on Malaysian politics as being 'not difficult'. I used to think the same too, and that's at a time when I wasn't interested in the politics of our country. I am sure in any country, the political scene are always colorful and full of excitement (if you want to call it that way) and Malaysia's is nevertheless one of the few special ones in the world.

Politics and politcal parties in most countries are usually based on the stance (right wing, left wing, far right, ultra conservative etc.) or religion (catholics, protestants, muslims, hindu etc) or race (whites, blacks, brown, purple, green etc) *correct me if I am wrong about this. And best thing is Malaysian politics has got all of it!!! That is the fun-nest part of it. Of course the ruling government is rule by the main alliance of three main races party (Malay, Chinese and Indians), but then again, in the alliance itself there's other non-race based party such as People's Movement Party, People's Progressive Party, Liberal Democratic Party...etc. Then again, we know who runs the country ;)...and only that party really makes the main difference in leadership of the country, while the others a just tagging along. The opposition party is even more interesting! PAS (as the Islamist, ultra conservative) , DAP (democratic party who are against race base politics, seeks equal rights for all race...yet party membership is 99% Chinese...I wonder how its not race base?;), KeAdilan (aka Justice Party aka Free Anwar Party which now has no cause to fight for and has to decide on a new political aim after Anwar had been freed). So these three mis-matched parties tried to form a coalition (shotgun marriage) for previous elections and had failed miserably because of different agendas. Now they are all divorce and still bickering who screw up the previous election! Oh yea, somebody wanted to register a Socialist Party and it was rejected because it was deemed a threat to national security!

I wouldn't say Malaysian politics is 'relatively' free of corruption, sex scandals etc...it's more like, how good the politicians here get away with it! Harry Houdini would've been proud of them! Hahahaha...you see, there's a saying made famous by our previous PM Dr. Mahathir..." Melayu Mudah Lupa.." Literal translation "Malays easily forgets..." or nowadays more like Malaysian easily forgets. Once a new controversy surfaces, the older ones will just get cover-up and people just forgets the previous cases. So every week there's something new happening, and the previous weeks issue gets forgotten. It really doesn't help as well when all the mainstream media (radio, tv, newspaper) are government controlled and decides what get published and what not. But nowadays, thanks to the Internet, a few independent news portal (www.malaysiakini. com, www.malaysia- today.net), independent writers (www.jeffooi. com ) and political bloggers are able to voice their opinion in cyberspace.( *some writings and comments left by the readers on these sites might be deemed racially, politically and religiously offensive-parental guidance is require. rated PG;) So if you only want to read, hear and see the "boring" part of the Malaysian political scene, you should probably stay out of these sites and continue reading the mainstream media like New Straits Times, The Star, Malay Mail which probably will make everyone happy and joyous living in our beautiful country...(which by the way, Malaysia is really beautiful, don't you agree? ;) So far, the closest independent mainstream paper you can get on the street is actually theSun (would you believe its free!!!) which managed to publish articles which are critical of the government (and still not get close down and arrested under ISA;)

Here are some of the popular happenings (or scandals you might call it) that might make the political scene sound less "boring" ;)

- MP of Jasin, requested for Custom department to 'close one eye' on illegally imported timber from Indonesia to help the local 'small time' businessmen in selling the timber. It was later discovered that one of the 'small time' company involved belongs to the MP. He was not prosecuted because another new scandal surface. Still known as the "close one eye" MP

- Local UMNO leader in Port Klang (also town municipal councillor) illegally acquired state-land at under value price to build his "small house" which is really a three storey bungalow with even a four storey high tower in the center of the building. He claims its a small house for his big family and once the project was reported in theSun, claims that he also plans to build a small surau in the vicinity for the local village children. Wah...so noble... Same dude has his son and daughter in-law together in Klang Municipal Council councillors which decides the development project in the whole town. Also son wanted to start off his satay stall chain by builidng it illegally on state land.

- Minister of International Trade who cried and swore by the Quran in a huge assembly after she was accused by Dr.M of giving out tens of thousand AP (Aprroved Permits) for importation of vehicles to her family and friends. Just so 'coincident' that her son-in-law is the owner of Naza which owns the huge expensive car showroom (largest in the country) in PJ. Drama queen award goes to....

- ex-politcal secretary to Dr.M, came up in defense of his ex-boss accusation by swearing on the Bible, the Quran, the Thorah and even Scout's Honour that all accusation made by Dr.M is accurate. (Its proven that in Malaysia, if you swear often enough over anything you say, people will actually believe you!)

- some dude from the Islamic party, PAS, who says that all divorcees are just horny and looking for other men because he doesn't see them feeling sad for leaving their husbands. Some other popular statements from 'leaders' of the same party, "Rape victims should blame themselves for their sexy dressing and the way they behave in public" and "Employers should hire ladies who are not beautiful because the pretty ones are married to rich guys anyway and can sustained themselves through their husbands. Let's give the others a job." These guys must've thought that the press conference was actually a stand-up comedy club.

- Political analyst to the defense department who was charged with planning the murder of Mongolian lady by blowing her up into pieces with military type explosives. This lady was apparently having an extra marital affair with him and came to the country to look for him...or so you think;) Some question remains unanswered such as, who provided this dude with military grade explosives? This stuffs are made for Hollywood!

- The most famous one, Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was jailed for being a homosexual and sodomising his partner (charges later overturned and he was released)... so guys, I would advice you to still stay in the closet...or at least don't do it in public...I know a few clubs in KL that are just full of men...;)

- and the list of amazing happenings just goes on and on in the political scene here....you have the drama, action, horrors, comedy, betrayal

All except the last two dudes got off scot free even after all these scandals surfaced. So you see, its not only about the scandals that had happened but how easily these dudes get away with it which is just amazing! Malaysia BOLEH!

Ok, now I really hope I don't get arrested for talking too much! "

Great one, Mr. A. Hope I'm not arrested for putting this on my blog but it's definitely worth the risk! :)

God bless.

Goodbye 2006

How did I bid farewell to the year 2006?
Spectacularly, it ended with casualty. Towards the last seconds of 2006, I got my toe wounded as a result of anxiety to see the fireworks on display at the roof in Seanz's condominium in Serdang. My toe hit the stairs while on the way to the rooftop but lucky enough, I didn't roll down along the staircase. As a conclusion, the worst has ended and now, for 2007, good year ahead!

After a couple of changes to the plan for the new year's eve, started with a plan to go countdown with Geralynn in Mandarin Oriental to Kathryn's 'near dancefloor table bookings' in Mason to lastly, a simple steamboat dinner in Tmn Yulek in Cheras. What I obviously preferred, gathering with friends at a less crowded place with good food.

What's left at the table after finished eating. Not that bad, isn't it?

Jill and Jamie with their neverending stories among both of them.

Jasmine, Gan and Uncle Seanz with his sinister laugh...

Lastly, after a hot and sweaty dinner, my hair had gone total messed up. A good picture with lovely Christine anyway. Realised that I've grown fatter again. Help, I miss working out at the gym!

After the dinner, I headed home, grabbed a bottle of Chivas which I bought during the last trip to the Philippines in the airport and brought it to Uncle Seanz's condominium where I had my last casualty of the year. As I stepped into his house, I could hear Jamie's voice from outside and there she was, with her sharing of experience and photographs during her internship in Ukraine. A couple of nice pictures shown, especially the m**********g statue. No wonder she's so eager to show the pictures she'd taken to all of us. Went to the rooftop towards the midnight, got injured, did a toast for the new year ahead and headed back down to the house again to resume Jamie's "nice" photo sharing session until about 2am. The devil queen left first, as usual, at about 1am and again, to pick up her sister. What a great sister...

Another new year's eve with fellow AIESECers and what's different this year is, it's celebrated with the young AIESEC alumni. I've already made a wish and resolutions for the year, have you?

God bless.